A new chapter was opened in the hospitality apostolate of Ampleforth Abbey when Cardinal Vincent Nichols travelled to the Benedictine monastery in North Yorkshire to bless Alban Roe House, a retreat and visitor centre which has been extensively refurbished with the help of a generous donation.
The building brings together residential accommodation, a tea room, shop and visitor centre, all of which opened to the general public on 22 March.
The blessing on the Solemnity of St Joseph was preceded by the celebration of Mass in the Abbey church attended by more than 100 invited guests including employees and volunteers, contractors who had worked on the refurbishment project, representatives from local parishes, and staff and students of Ampleforth College.
